Photo degradation of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol in aqueous solution exposed to a high-pressure mercury lamp (250 W)

The photodegradation of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) induced by high-pressure mercury lamp (alpha greater than or equal to 313, 250 W) in aqueous solution of EE2 was investigated initially. The affecting factors on the photodegradation were studied and described in details, such as EE2 initial concentration, Fe3+, algae, exposure time, and so on. The concentration of EE2 in distilled water was mainly determined using fluorescence spectrophotometer. The photodegradation of EE2 in aqueous solution exposed to high-pressure mercury lamp was evident and could be accelerated by Fe3+ or algae (e.g. Anabaena cylindrica) in general. With the algae concentration increasing, photodegradation rate increased. In this paper, the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of EE2 by Fe3+ or algae is discussed primarily. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.